In Islam, there is a custom called Kandil ( Feast in English). These are periodic religious observances commemorating an event, or honoring a Deity, a person or a thing. There are four such events in Islam that are considered Holly. They are observed regularly with solemnity. Those are Mevlud, the celebration of the Birth of Muhammed, Regaib that glorifies His Conception, Mirac that praises His Ascension to Heaven, and Berat that observes His investiture with Prophet-hood. In those occasions the devout are reminded of their pious obligations towards Providence as well as their social obligations to fellow human beings. The believers are enjoined to reflect and pray, to concentrate on their inner world, and to become more mindful of their relationship with God. To add a measure of festivity to those observations the bakeries make special bagel-type rolls, and the mosques are lighted up. The devout are encouraged to read and chant Qur’an. Families, friends and relatives pay visit to each other. [Read more...]

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There seems to be a number of forms of this so called “Indo-European” (IE) word “KAVAL” meaning “horse” such as:

Latin “caballus“, Italian “cavallo” and sometimes  “caval“,  French “cheval“, etc. The speakers of such languages naturally think that this word is one of the original words of their languages which they speak from childhood onwards.  Of course, this assumption is a natural for them, as they do not study to learn how the words of their languages were made up.  Most people do not stop to think about such matters. However one expects that  at least some of the linguists would study such matters.  I have done such study intensively and I will now explain the nature of the make up of this word “kaval, cavallo, caballlus, cheval“.
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This millennium was inaugurated with positive steps in the area of religious  rapprochement among Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The undisputed architect of this new “Enlightenment” was the late Pope John Paul II. With humility and genuine interest in other faiths he tore down the walls that separated the belief systems, and began building bridges. He opened the flood gates of understanding among religions. This liberating attitude found its expression in the burgeoning interfaith groups. Historically, an interest in other faiths had always been casual and sporadic, if not alienated; but lately this interest has gained a fresh momentum and become more manifest and engaging.

Throughout history, humankind has experienced untold religious wars, although most of the wars were between religions, but intra-religion wars too were common. The Crusades, the vicious Spanish Inquisition and the evil Holocaust are religiously motivated blots on the record of humankind. With a new and fresh outlook we have begun drawing positive lessons from these events and have gained a fresh perspective. More importantly, the human endeavor, rather than religious identity came to the fore. We have become more conscious of our selfishness and our closed mindedness. We have realized that in order to restore sanity to the human race the ignorance, bigotry and self-righteousness must be eradicated. It is a giant step and a long, arduous journey; yet it is the only way there is.  [Read more...]

Kadırga District of Fatih, Istanbul

“Turkey’s first photography museum” was opened in İstanbul on 16 November 2011,  with an exhibition dedicated to the “Masters of photography from the Republican era“, which followed the revolution of Kemal Ataturk in the 1920s.

The museum is the masterpiece of famous Turkish photographer Gültekin Cizgen and run by the Friends of Photography Association headed by his brother Seyhsüvar Çizgen. Gültekin Çizgen was quoted in an article that “you can see everything that is linked to photography” in the museum.

The Museum, not too far from the small Ayasofya Mosque in Fatih, also organises events, conferences and publications and in fact, the place was full of stuents while I was taking notes on the exhibition spread in five galleries. To mark the opening of the museum, two temporary exhibitions were set up alongside the permanent collection. “Photography today – 2011” displays the work of 200 artists from all generations of Turks and sections of society, including the most famous photographer in Turkey, Ara Güler, who has held many exhibitons of his own both in Turkey and abroad. This year Ara Güler is celebrating his 85th birthday. [Read more...]

Ashure is an authentic and unique dessert widely known in the Middle East, and made by the Christians, Jews and the Muslims alike. It is also called “Noah’s Pudding” a reference to the legend of Noah’s Ark. Traditionally; it is made on the 10^th of the Islamic month of Muharrem. In Arabic “Ashar” means Tithe, a tenth part of something; so it may have acquired its name from this connection.

Noah’s miraculous journey on a boat is a shared belief by the three monotheistic religions. Legend has it that thousands of years ago societies showed sign of corruption.  Persistent problems of violence, injustice, oppression, crime, immorality vexed and exasperated people. Prophet Noah, a wise man, with an unwavering belief to one God, urged his people to amend their evil and wicked ways. Yet, people refused to listen to his injunctions, even made fun of him, and scoffed at him. [Read more...]

The Cinema and Theatre Museum created by Turker Inanoglu, the Chairman of the Türker Inanoglu Foundation (TURVAK), moved from Kavacık to its new location in Beyoglu, near Galatasaray Lise early this year. The three story museum is full of rare artifacts from Turkey’s cinematic history and includes a 50,000 plus book Library. There is also an education center, coordinated by the Museum’s director Erol Şenel. The day I visited the Museum and Library, many students were busy observing the historical movie equipment and admiring the vax statues of famous artists. It ıs a wonderful place to visit, especially fort he Turkish-Americans who come to Turkey on a personal or business trips.

Some of the cinema and projection machines displayed date back to early 1900s. Photographs of many immortal Turkish cinema and theater artists are also displayed. Most of the collestions are from Erler Film, establishged by Türker Inanoglu in 1960 after he moved to İstanbul from Safranbolu, which still produces some of the TV series. There are also paintings and caricatures of Faruk Alpkurt who worked as cartoonist for the Hayat magazine in the 60s and 70s. [Read more...]